Hello, my name is Alexander Toth, and my 2023 New Year's resolution from last year was to run my first half marathon, which I accomplished in October of 23'. Now for this year's 2024 resolution: I'm running my first marathon. To stay motivated during my training, I am running five half marathons in the six months before race day. So I am running 6 races in 6 months, by my 26th birthday!

My goal, as I turn 26, is to raise more than $2,600 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of my father, Andrew Toth Jr., who committed suicide on May 5th, 2021.

I will be running the marathon on my dads birthday, August 25th, six days after my own birthday. In honor of him, I chose to turn this personal journey of mine into a fundraising opportunity to raise awareness and support for suicide prevention.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide.

Some back story on my father, Andrew Toth Jr. :

My father was born August 25th, 1966, welcomed by his parents and older sister, who he loved dearly. After graduating from high school, my father went about life, eventually working at a bank. He met my mother in 1986, and they eventually tied the knot. They had three sons and a daughter between 1989 through 1998. My parents later separated in 2003, and my father moved out and lived by himself.

My father was a die-hard Mets, Devils, and Steelers fan and took his children to many of the games to experience them firsthand. He was an illustrator who enjoyed drawing pictures and creating sketches. He liked watching movies and was usually full of fantastic recommendations for what to see. He probably had a larger DVD collection than anyone I know. He was a tremendous jokester, and while his jokes were occasionally corny, he loved to make others smile and laugh. He was an exceptional swimmer and a top beachgoer. Most importantly, he was his children's biggest cheerleader, attending all of their sporting/school events.

During this time, however, he struggled with a number of personal challenges, including depression and a gambling addiction. Later in life my father was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma, a form of skin cancer that spreads throughout the body. Treatment began with weekly radiation sessions, which gradually decreased to biweekly sessions, and so on. During this time, my father was given a variety of medications, including oxycodone, to help him deal with his pain. As radiation killed the disease, his addiction to the medication grew without his knowing. The fewer treatments he received as a result of the radiation's effectiveness, the fewer painkillers he would be prescribed. This drove him into a deeper depression and caused indescribable pain for him.

Juggling these addictions and personal emotions, my father took his life on May 5th, 2021 leaving behind his sister and four children.

To this day, I still wonder if there was anything I could have done to stop him from making this mistake. I am well aware that the decision he made was his own, but sometimes I can't help but feel this way.

Since his death, my father has been unable to witness any of his children's life accomplishments, such as job promotions, seeing his daughter marry, or meeting his 2 grandkids or learning that another grandbaby is on the way.

As life progresses, memories start to fade. So in order to keep my father's legacy alive, I decided to dedicate this personal journey in his honor and bring hope to those in need.

Would you join me to help make a difference in someone's life?

For more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Click Here

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing suicidal thoughts: Click Here

You are not alone.

Thank you for listening to my story and thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause, I truly appreciate it.